Hemodilution cap and methods of use in blood-processing procedures

ABSTRACT

Devices and methods that prevent clotting of blood during blood-processing procedures such as hemofiltration, hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, and peritoneal dialysis are described. The device comprises a cap and a housing that is shaped to receive a blood filter. The housing has an inlet for blood and may have an outlet for waste and ultrafiltrate. The cap is attached to the housing. The cap has an outlet for blood and a port adjacent the outlet for receiving dilution fluid. Methods of use during blood-processing procedures to provide immediate hemodilution to blood exiting a filter are also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices and methods useful in preventing coagulation in filtered blood during hemofiltration. More specifically, the devices and methods provide a cap having a port, the cap adapted for attachment to a blood filter housing to provide hemodilution of blood as it enters and/or exits the filter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Undesired coagulation of blood often complicates blood-processing procedures such as hemofiltration, hemodialysis, and hemodiafiltration, particularly where a filter is used. Blood generally coagulates by transforming soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin by activation of numerous circulating proteins that interact in a cascading series of limited proteolytic reactions. At each step of reaction, a clotting factor undergoes limited proteolysis and becomes an active protease that in turn activates the next clotting factor until finally a solid fibrin clot is formed. Fibrinogen (factor I) is activated by thrombin (factor IIa), which is converted from prothrombin by activated factor X. There are two separate coagulation pathways that activate factor X—the intrinsic system and the extrinsic system. Activation of the extrinsic system requires tissue thromboplastin (factor III), which is released from damaged tissue into the circulating blood to activate clotting. The intrinsic system, on the other hand, has all the factors necessary for coagulation contained in the circulating blood. The intrinsic system is, for example, partially responsible for clotting of blood in a test tube. Aggregation of platelets caused by stagnation of blood also facilitates blood coagulation.

During hemofiltration, for example, blood is removed from the patient, filtered through a filtering column to remove waste products, and returned to the patient's circulation. However, during removal of waste products, fluid is also removed, causing concentration of blood leaving the outflow tubing. As a result of hemoconcentration, hematocrit rises, and the intrinsic coagulation pathway and platelets are activated causing clotting of blood around the outlet of the filtering column, thereby compromising the hemofiltrating process.

What is needed are devices and methods that can be used with a filtering column during blood-processing procedures, such as hemofiltration, hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, and peritoneal dialysis, to prevent clotting. Existing devices are inadequate for this purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides devices and methods that prevent clotting of blood during blood-processing procedures, such as hemofiltration, hemodialysis, and hemodiafiltration. More particularly, blood is diluted by replacement fluid, such as saline, Ringer's lactate, or other physiological solutions, as it enters and/or exits the filter. In a first embodiment, the device, also known as a filter, is comprised of a bundle of hollow fiber membrane made of resins such as polysulfone that is fixed in a cylindrical housing with a potting material. The interior of the fibers is the blood flow path. The exterior of the fibers is the dialysate and/or waste space. The potting material is typically a polyurethane material. The cylindrical housing may have one or two access ports. One port is for the hemofiltration filter, and two ports allow dialysate to flow through the housing contacting the exterior surface of the membrane for hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration. In one embodiment, the open fibers at the end of the cylindrical housing are covered at both ends with a cap. One cap is the blood entry cap, the other is the blood exit cap. In other embodiments, the housing includes end plates at one or both ends, the end plates integral with the housing.

The exit cap is attached to the housing, in some cases removably attached, and generally at a position opposite the inlet cap. The exit cap has an outlet for blood and a port adjacent the outlet for receiving replacement fluid. In certain embodiments, the blood outlet, the replacement fluid port, the blood inlet, and/or the waste outlet of the filter assembly communicate with bond sockets adapted to receive flexible tubing.

In another embodiment, the filter has an outlet or exit cap for blood at one end and an inlet or inlet cap at the other end, the cap having an inlet for blood and a port adjacent to the inlet for receiving dilution fluid, such as saline, Ringer's lactate, or other physiological solutions. The housing also includes access ports for waste and ultrafiltrate.

In still another embodiment, the housing includes first and second caps at opposite ends and an outlet for waste and ultrafiltrate. The first cap has an inlet for blood and a port adjacent to the inlet for receiving dilution fluid. The second cap has an outlet for blood and a port adjacent to the outlet for receiving dilution fluid.

In use, blood is passed through the blood inlet of the entry cap, through the filter membrane fibers, and through the blood outlet of the exit cap. Replacement fluid or dilution fluid, such as saline, Ringer's lactate, or other physiological solutions, is infused into the port adjacent the blood outlet to produce hemodilution at the blood outlet. Alternatively, the fluid is infused into the port adjacent the blood inlet of the entry cap to produce hemodilution at the inlet. In still another alternative method, fluid is infused into the port adjacent the blood inlet of the entry cap and into the port adjacent the blood outlet of the exit cap to produce hemodilution as blood enters and exits the filter housing. In certain constrictions the replacement fluid swirls in a circular pattern in a headspace that is defined by the gap between the filter and the cap. Swirling of the replacement fluid facilitates mixing of the fluid and the blood, thereby preventing hemoconcentration and stasis of blood, and sweeping any particles of thrombus away from the filter.

The advantages associated with the hemodilution cap described herein include (1) preventing coagulation during blood processing procedures, (2) manufacturing efficiency, i.e., reducing plastic used in disposable components, (3) eliminating up to two bonds and up to two components, (4) less expense in materials costs and manufacturing costs, (5) more robust system, not subject to tolerances like bonding two rigid parts, and (6) integration of parts saves labor, materials, and precious resources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a filter within a housing for hemofiltration.

FIG. 1B depicts a filter within a housing having a replacement fluid port adjacent the blood outlet port for hemofiltration.

FIG. 1C depicts a filter within a housing having a replacement fluid port adjacent the blood inlet port for hemofiltration.

FIG. 1D depicts a filter within a housing having replacement fluid ports adjacent both the blood inlet port and the blood outlet port for hemofiltration.

FIG. 1E depicts a filter within a housing for hemodiafiltration having dialysate inlet and outlet ports.

FIG. 1F depicts a filter within a housing for hemodiafiltration having a replacement fluid port adjacent the blood outlet port.

FIG. 2 depicts a filter-housing cap having a replacement fluid port adjacent the blood outlet port for hemofiltration.

FIG. 3A depicts a cross-sectional view of a filter housing cap having a replacement fluid port adjacent the blood outlet port for hemofiltration.

FIG. 3B depicts another cross-sectional view of a filter housing cap having a replacement fluid port adjacent the blood outlet port for hemofiltration.

FIG. 3C depicts another cross-sectional view of a filter housing cap having a replacement fluid port adjacent the blood outlet port and a headspace for hemofiltration.

FIG. 4A depicts a fluid bond socket communicating with the blood outlet.

FIG. 4B depicts a fluid bond socket communicating with the replacement fluid port.

FIG. 5 depicts a filter-housing cap removably mounted on a filter housing for hemofiltration.

FIG. 6 depicts a filter-housing cap for hemofiltration, the cap being made of flexible PVC and having ribs for stability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

During blood-processing procedures, such as hemofiltration, hemodialysis, and hemodiafiltration, blood has a tendency to clot as it passes through processing equipment, particularly where it exits the outlet of a filter, due to hemoconcentration. In FIG. 1A, the hemofiltration device includes cylindrical housing 10 which contains filter fibers 20 that remove waste from blood passing through the fibers. It will be understood that any other suitable shape can be used for the housing. Housing 10 is equipped with entry cap 13 having blood inlet 11. Waste and ultrafiltrate that are removed from the blood exits the housing through waste outlet 12. Exit cap 30 is mounted on housing 10 opposite blood entry cap 13. Headspace 31 is formed in the gap between filter fibers 20 and cap 30 and between filters 20 and cap 13. Headspace 31 communicates with blood outlet 32. Each of the inlet 11 waste outlet 12 and blood outlet 32 are adapted for attachment to flexible tubing sections that connect with a blood processing system.

In FIG. 1B, cap 30 further includes replacement fluid inlet port 33 that communicates with headspace 31. Replacement fluid is infused through port 33 to effect hemodilution of blood exiting filter 20. The system thereby reconstitutes blood as close as possible to the exit from the filter fibers. In this way hemodilution is accomplished with one part (cap 30) and two bonds (one between tubing and port 32, and another between tubing and port 33).

In FIG. 1C, housing 10 includes cap 13 having blood inlet 11 and dilution fluid inlet port 15 that communicates with headspace 31. Blood is diluted as it enters housing 10, thereby helping to prevent coagulation.

In FIG. 1D, housing 10 includes cap 13 having blood inlet and dilution fluid inlet port 15 that communicates with headspace 31. The housing also includes cap 30 having blood outlet 32 and fluid inlet port 33 that communicates with headspace 31. Dilution fluid is infused through port 33 and port 15 to effect hemodilution of blood entering and exiting filter 20.

FIG. 1E shows a housing 10 designed for hemodiafiltration. Housing 10 includes dialysate inlet 16 and dialysate outlet 12 to establish countercurrent dialysate flow. Filter fiber membrane 20 is mounted within potting material 21 at both ends, where the potting material typically is a polyurethane material. In FIG. 1F, cap 30 further includes replacement fluid inlet port 33 that communicates with headspace 31. Replacement fluid is infused through port 33 to effect hemodilution of blood exiting filter 20 as described for other embodiments above. It will be understood that for hemodiafiltration, a hemodilution cap may be included alternatively on the inlet to effect pre-dilution of blood, and/or on both the inlet and outlet.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of cap 30 having blood outlet 32 and replacement fluid infusion port 33. In use, replacement fluid, such as saline, Ringer's lactate, sterile filtered dialysate, or other physiological solutions, enters through port 33 and establishes a swirling current within headspace 31. This current has the beneficial effect of sweeping thrombus particles that may have accumulated in the headspace and flushing the particle through outlet 32. Inlet blood flow rate will typically be 50-1000 mL/min, preferably 350-600 mL/min. Infusion of dilution fluid at the exit cap will generally be 1-50% of inlet blood flow, preferably 20-30% in order to establish swirling. The foregoing ranges are set forth solely for the purpose of illustrating typical operating parameters. The actual parameters for operation of a device constructed according to the principles of the present invention may obviously vary outside of the listed ranges without departing from those basic principles.

Infusion port 33 includes bond socket 34, and outlet 32 includes bond socket 35. Each bond socket is adapted to receive flexible tubing. Where the tubing is generally constructed of PVC and the bond socket is constructed of any one of a number of thermoplastic resins including PVC, polycarbonate, ABS, etc., PVC being preferable as it is solvent bonded to the housing, the tubing may be fused to the bond socket by brief immersion in cyclohexanone or other suitable organic solvent before inserting the tubing in the bond socket. Soft PVC is flexible, allowing the cap to have an interference fit when solvent bonded. This makes it less susceptible to tolerance problems.

FIG. 3A depicts a side view of an embodiment of cap 30 with blood outlet 32 and bond socket 35. FIG. 3B depicts a side view of another embodiment of cap 30 having blood outlet 32 and bond socket 35. FIG. 3C depicts a side view of still another embodiment of cap 30 having blood outlet 32 and bond socket 35. Filter housing 10 is slideably received within the opening in cap 30 when fully inserted, housing 10 rests against annular ridge 36. Headspace 31 is defined by the gap between filter 20 and cap 30.

FIG. 4A shows the details of bond socket 35 communicating with the blood outlet designed for interference fit with appropriately sized tubing. Passage 41 has a dimension of approximately 0.185 inches in diameter. Surface 43 is approximately 0.248 inches in diameter. Annular member 42 has a height of approximately 0.35 inches. Surface 45 is approximately 0.252 inches in diameter. Thus, blood outlet 32 communicates with a quarter inch bond socket. Replacement fluid infusion port 33 communicates with bond socket 34 shown in details in FIG. 4B. Passage 41 has a dimension of approximately 0.098 inches in diameter. Surface 43 is approximately 0.142 inches in diameter. Annular member 42 has a height of approximately 0.31 inches. Surface 45 is approximately 0.147 inches in diameter. The foregoing ranges are set forth solely for the purpose of illustrating typical device dimensions. The actual dimensions of a device constructed according to the principles of the present invention may obviously vary outside of the listed ranges without departing from those basic principles.

FIG. 5 depicts housing 10 inserted within cap 30. Headspace 31 communicates with outlet 32, which in turn communicates with bond socket 35. Headspace 31 ranges from approximately 1.5 mm at the outer edge to approximately 3 mm in the center of the dome-like region. In use, the pressure in headspace 31 can reach 40 PSI (2000 mmHg), resulting in 25 lbs force pushing the cap off. The cap 30 may therefore need to be bonded, threaded, or snapped on, or attached by other suitable means, to withstand pressure. Solvent bonding and use of a threaded cap are two suitable means to accomplish attachment. It will again be understood that these device dimension are merely illustrative as stated above. FIG. 6 depicts a top view of another embodiment of cap 30 having ribs 37.

Although the foregoing invention has, for the purposes of clarity and understanding, been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced which will still fall within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it will be understood that any feature of any device or method disclosed herein can be used with any of the other devices or methods, even though any given figure might depict only a particular combination. 

1. An extracorporeal filter, comprising: a housing having an inlet for blood; said housing having an interior volume divided into filtrate portions and blood portions; an outlet for waste and ultrafiltrate in flow communication with said filtrate portion of said interior volume of said housing; a cap attached to the housing opposite the inlet, the cap having an outlet port for blood and an infusion port, both the outlet port for blood and the infusion port being connected to the housing such that they open directly to said blood portion of said interior volume of said housing, whereby blood may be diluted by fluid infused in said infusion port; and a filter media received within the housing configured to separate said blood portion of said housing from said filtrate portion of said housing such that communication therebetween within said interior of said housing is provided only through said filter media.
 2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the infusion port is adjacent the outlet port for blood such that fluid injected into said infusion port is mixed with blood therein.
 3. The filter of claim 1, wherein said infusion port conveys an aqueous replacement fluid.
 4. The filter of claim 1, wherein the cap is removably attached to the housing.
 5. The filter of claim 1, wherein the port is adapted to receive replacement fluid.
 6. The filter of claim 1, wherein the housing has a second cap that carries the inlet.
 7. The filter of claim 1, further comprising a second port adapted to receive dilution fluid radially adjacent the inlet.
 8. The filter of claim 1, wherein a gap between the filter and the cap defines a headspace.
 9. The filter of claim 1, wherein the housing is generally cylindrical.
 10. An extracorporeal filter, comprising: a housing having a bundle of parallel tubular filter membranes separating first and second interior volume portions within the housing, said housing having first and second ends with said filter membrane running along a length of said housing between said first and second ends; said housing having a first port with a tubing connector located at said first end in flow communication with said first interior volume portion; said housing having a second port with a tubing connector located at said second end in flow communication with said second interior volume portion; said housing first end having a chamber, said first port opening into said chamber; said housing having a third port proximate said first port and opening into said chamber such that a fluid injected therethrough would mix within said chamber without passing through said filter membrane; said housing having at least one fourth port in communication with said second interior volume portion; said first, second ports and said bundle being configured to permit a flow of blood during an extracorporeal blood treatment of at least 50 mL/min and said third port being configured to permit a flow of aqueous dilution fluid of at least 25 mL/min.
 11. A filter as in claim 10, wherein said third port has a tubing connector by which replacement fluid may be continuously injected therethrough.
 12. A filter as in claim 10, wherein said filter membrane comprises filter fibers.
 13. A filter as in claim 12, wherein said housing includes end caps, each enclosing said first and second interior volume portions at a respective one of said first and second housing ends.
 14. A filter as in claim 13, wherein said first, second, and third ports are in said end caps.
 15. A filter as in claim 13, wherein one of said end caps has said first and third ports and encloses said chamber, said chamber being cylindrical and said third port being arranged such that a flow through said third port flows tangentially to said cylindrical chamber.
 16. An extracorporeal filter, comprising: a housing supporting multiple filter fibers connected to head spaces at ends of said multiple filter fibers, said head spaces being in flow communication through interiors of said filter fibers, said head spaces otherwise being isolated from each other; a blood inlet in a first of said head spaces with blood flowing from said first of said head spaces to a second of said head spaces through said multiple filter fibers; a blood outlet in said second of said head spaces, said blood outlet having a dilution fluid inlet with dilution fluid injected into said blood in said second of said head spaces, whereby a potential for clotting in said second of said head spaces is reduced.
 17. A filter as in claim 16, wherein said dilution fluid inlet is arranged to generate turbulent mixing of said blood and said dilution fluid in said second of said head spaces.
 18. A filter as in claim 16, wherein a direction of flow of said dilution fluid inlet is substantially opposite and parallel a direction of flow of said blood outlet.
 19. An extracorporeal filter, comprising: a housing supporting multiple filter fibers connected to inlet and outlet head spaces joined for flow communication by said multiple filter fibers, said head spaces otherwise being isolated from each other; a blood inlet in inlet head space arranged to allow blood to flow from said inlet head space; a blood outlet in said outlet head space; and a dilution fluid inlet in said outlet head space connected to receive replacement fluid from a source thereof; said blood inlet and outlets being connected to external blood lines.
 20. A filter as in claim 19, wherein a direction of flow of said dilution fluid inlet is substantially opposite and parallel a direction of flow of said blood outlet. 